has teamed up with spoken word artist @clickfortaz, in support of the 1 in 7 adolescents living with a mental health condition and to promote good mental health and well-being for all children and young people.
UNICEF
Children under the age of 5 undergo rapid brain development, making them particularly susceptible to the long-term consequences of exposure to harmful substances. It is imperative to take immediate action to shield our children from environmental pollutants, as each instance of poisoning represents a loss to our collective future. Every child deserves the right to grow up in a healthy environment.
UNICEF launches its appeal to mitigate the effects of unprecedented humanitarian crises around the world.
In all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most.
Bearing witness, James Elder gives a firsthand account of the impact of the war on children and families.
Recently displaced children in the southern Gaza Strip are accessing only 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day, well below the recommended requirements just for survival, according to estimates. According to humanitarian standards, the minimum amount of water needed in an emergency is 15 litres, which includes water for drinking, washing and cooking. For survival alone, the estimated minimum is 3 litres per day. The impact of this on children is particularly dramatic because children are also more susceptible to dehydration, diarrhea, disease and malnutrition.
Thousands of children have been killed and even more injured across the Gaza Strip, since the beginning of Israel鈥檚 offensive against Hamas. Children are still being held hostage. Their basic rights to life and health are being denied, day after day. The loss and trauma they are experiencing will be borne out for generations to come. Children bear no responsibility for war, but they suffer its deepest scars. And they pay the highest price. These are the voices of children in Gaza. To respond to the situation for children in Israel and the State of Palestine, is calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the鈥痠mmediate, safe and unconditional release of all abducted children鈥痑nd the prevention and end to any grave violations against children, including killing and injuring.
The escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip has had a devastating impact on children and families. Children are dying at an alarming rate, more than 5,000 have reportedly been killed and thousands more injured, and it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people have been displaced. Those families are running out of water, food, fuel and medicines. Their homes have been destroyed; their families torn apart. To respond to the situation for children in Israel and the State of Palestine, is calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the鈥痠mmediate, safe and unconditional release of all abducted children鈥痑nd the prevention and end of any grave violations against children, including killing and injuring.
No matter where they live, every child has the right to grow up in a peaceful world on a safe and livable planet. Children must be listened to and included in all decisions that affect them. On this World Children鈥檚 Day (20 November), we鈥檙e making space for children and young people to raise their voices on issues that are important to them. By prioritizing children's rights and participation, we can help to build a brighter future for everyone. ! Explore what鈥檚 happening on World Children鈥檚 Day.
According to estimates, almost 45 million children are affected by wasting 鈥 the most immediate, visible and life-threatening form of malnutrition. Children with wasting are too thin and their immune systems are weak, leaving them vulnerable to developmental delays, disease and death. The UN agency has been working to highlight the magnitude of the nutrition crisis and working with partners to reach children in the countries that are particularly affected. But sustained funding is needed to ensure that UNICEF can continue expanding this work, including through game-changing partnerships like the .
More than 3,500 children have been killed and over 6,800 injured in Gaza during the current Israel-Palestine crisis, according to the UN Children's Fund. official Salim Oweis emphasized in an interview with UN News that beyond the numbers, those are lives, dreams and futures lost because of the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. Oweis told UN News鈥檚 Abdelmonem Makki that it was the children who were 鈥渇acing the worst of times鈥 in the enclave and called again for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
When conflict or war makes the headlines, children look to their parents for a sense of safety and security. offers on how to provide them with support and comfort.
In a volatile world, with more children in need than ever and resources increasingly stretched, and its partners must have the right support. is a highly flexible form of funding that allows donors to support the UN agency, as it responds rapidly and strategically to immediate needs in humanitarian crises. Thanks to the generous support from partners, Flexible Funding has already saved lives in six countries including Afghanistan, Haiti, T眉rkiye, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, and South Sudan.
In every part of the world, poor mental health causes suffering for children and young people. It is a top cause of death, disease and disability, especially for older adolescents. To achieve positive mental health, is calling for investment and action to support and protect all children and young people, and a focus on ending neglect, abuse and childhood traumas. Under the campaign, the UN agency is asking for support for families through programs that promote positive parenting and ensure that all children and adolescents learn and interact in safe and secure environments with supportive relationships and access to mental health services.
On 8 September 2023, a powerful鈥痚arthquake鈥痵truck Morocco, claiming more than 2,800 lives and impacting more than 100,000 children according to initial reports. In any emergency, children are always among the most vulnerable. In close coordination with the authorities and UN partners, UNICEF is ready to support the humanitarian response as necessary to reach children and families affected with critical supplies and services. Longer-term, children and families affected will need shelter, safe drinking water, health and medical help, and food and nutrition support. Child protection services including psychosocial support will be critical in helping children and parents process their distressing experiences. Getting children back into school is also critical for their long-term recovery.
: This year marks the halfway point to achieving the . But with just 7 years to go, we鈥檝e fallen behind.